Wednesday, February 2, 2011

2011 Mock Draft

With QB Andrew Luck going back to school, this pick is now down to three players: A.J. Green, Da'Quan Bowers and Nick Fairley. The Panthers have DE’s with C. Johnson and Everett Brown but the Panthers don’t have any starting caliber DT’s, enter Nick Fairley who reminds me of Warren Sapp.Jimmy Clausen should send a thank you note to Andrew Luck because he would have been the easy pick here.

---2--- Denver Broncos --- DE - DaQuan Bowers – Clemson. 6-4 281 lbs

The Broncos finished last in the NFL with just 23 sacks. Elvis Dumervil will be back in the lineup, but Denver still needs another pass-rusher up front. Bowers was the #1 High School recruit and finally put it all together in 2010.

New head coach John Fox needs a defensive end to get after the QB. In his first year with the Panthers, he selected Julius Peppers at No. 2 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft.

With Denver moving back to the 4-3, Fox has to consider Bowers with this pick, as Bowers will remind some of J. Peppers. DT Farley could be the pick if Carolina picks WR AJ Green or DE Bowers.CB Patrick Peterson is the other option here if Champ Bailey leaves via Free Agency or DE/DT Marcell Dareus who can line up and dominate in any scheme.

---3--- Buffalo Bills --- CB - Patrick Peterson – LSU. 6' 1" 211 lbs

The cornerback position is definitely not the biggest need for the Bills. But Peterson is an elite talent and shutdown corner who can be a dangerous return man.I could see DT/DE - Marcell Dareus here or North Carolina OLB Robert Quinn.

TO is gone and If the Bengals get rid of Chad Johnson, this pick will be easy. WR A.J. Green is my #1 prospect.I like the Bengals young DE’s Dunlup(Florida) and M. Johnson(GT) but if Bowers slips and AJ Green goes #1 then DE Bowers is the pick as he will be too good to pass up.I don’t expect Carson Palmer to go anywhere

I don’t think they go QB here and Von Miller was lights out at the Senior Bowl.An amazing pass rusher, who we now know can drop into coverage, would fill a huge need for the Arizona pass rush. Other option is CB - Prince Amukumara – Nebraska or Robert Quinn OLB North Carolina.Skelton or a vet QB should be the starting QB next year.

Cleveland will be moving to the 4-3, making Marcell Dareus a monster DT in they’re scheme. Dareus is the best player on the board. He was dominant in Bama’s bowl game against Michigan St. and set up a small home in MSU’s backfield.He’s also the size of my first car which can be put in his “strengths” category.

New Coach = New QB.Blaine Gabbert has the size/speed/weight but played in the spread offence at Mizzu.He may take time to adjust to the Pro style but he has all the tools.A DT or OLB could be in play here.

Cameron Jordan, DE/DT - A monstrous pass-rusher who couldn't be stopped during the Senior Bowl practices, Cameron Jordan would look great next as the 5-Tec next to DT Jay Ratliff.OT Nate Solder could be another option here or if one of the two top CB’s fall the cowboys will snatch them up as CB is a huge need.The Cowboys have not selected a OL in the 1st round in the last 30 years, this might be the year that changes.

Rex Grossman…That’s it.Shanny was a big fan of Locker last year before he returned for his senior year.Staying in school cost Locker some money but all it takes is one team to fall in love with his mobility/ arm strength and look past his accuracy problems.Locker just needs to learn to stay in the pocket and stop scrambling at the first sign of pressure.

With the shift to the 3-4 they now need another OLB. I expect Quinn to shoot up boards after the combine/pro day.The NCAA ruled him ineligible for the 2010 season.DT is also a big need and I’ve had Stephen Paea (DT/Oregon State) here for a while but he was injured at the Senior Bowl.

---12--- Minnesota Vikings --- QB - Cam Newton – Auburn.6' 6" 250 lbs

He has all the physical tools to be a successful NFL QB.Joe Webb is not the answer.Newton may have to take a pay cut in the NFL but that’s fine with me.Some people want to compare him to Tim Tebow but he has a much quicker release( no loop in his throwing motion) and is already more accurate.He’s also the size of a DE…which is nice.The Vikes are one of about 5 teams who could look into acquiring Eagles back-up QB Kevin Kolb or maybe Broncos QB Kyle Orton.

---13--- Detroit Lions --- OLB - Akeem Ayers – UCLA.6' 4" 253 lbs

Akeem Ayers is a talented outside linebacker who would play SAM LB in the lions 4-3 scheme. The Lions really need a CB but the value isn’t here with the top 2 off the board.A Left Tackle should also be considered.

Ryan Kerrigan had an amazing senior campaign He led the nation with 26 TFL to along with his 12.5 sacks. Kerrigan was dominant at the senior bowl going against the top OT’s in the draft.The Jags need to continue to develop the D-Line to get pressure on Peyton Manning.

The Pats are loaded with draft picks (7 in the first 4 rounds) this could lead to them packaging some picks if they love WR AJ Green or WR Julio Jones. On the flip side they’re just as likely to move down and acquire more pick so your guess is as good as minethey’re needs are a rush 3-4 OLB and OL help if Matt Light and Logan Mankings leave via FA.Aldon Smith is an athletic freak who can play 4-3 DE but will be asked to play standing up in the Pats 3-4 defensive scheme.If any player has the ability to transition to the 3-4 OLB its Aldon Smith.

He’s a giant and a perfect fit as a 5 technique 3-4 DE.Watt has a non-stop motor. The Chargers could also look to address the OLB position with a guy like OLB Justin Houston

---19--- New York Giants --- OT - Nate Solder – Colorado. 6’8” 315lbs

Giants biggest need is a 4-3 SAM linebacker but unlessOLB Akeem Ayers(UCLA) falls here there is no other LB worthy of this pick.OT is another big need, I’m not ready to give up on LT Will Beaty but the Giants might not see him as they’re future LT.

David Deihl is better suited as a LG.Nate Solder is a legit 6’8” 315lbs and has great athletic ability as a former TE.He was dominant at the Senior Bowl and has great upside.OLB/Center another Corner and possibly a RB( If Bradshaw leaves via free agency) are also needs but can be addressed later.Two LB’s I like in round two for the Giants are North Carolina LB Bruce Carter and Boston College LB Mark Herzlich.

RT and CB are the two big needs and with the left handed Vick they need a RT.Carimi plays with a mean streak and just beats up DE’s.He’s an Andy Reid type of player and you can just pencil him in at RT for the next 8 years and feel good about it.

I see a need at WR and CB.But you can’t pass up CB Harris at this spot.He had one bad bowl game against ND but so did everyone else at the U.He’s my #3 CB prospect and there will be great value at WR in round 2.

Needs include Left DE/OT/WR/TE.Giving Matt Ryan another weapon will only help this already dynamic offence.I just don’t see a Left DE worthy of this pick to pair opposite John Abraham.I could see Matt Ryan rooting for BC OT Anthony Castonzo with this pick to help secure the O-Line.This is also the only spot in the 1st round I can see Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolf landing.

Pats stay local and pick the BC product. Boston College always seem to produce good O-Lineman (thank you Chris Snee from all Giant fans).If Matt Light leaves they can try Castonzo at LT and he has the feet and athletic ability to play there but more likely RT Sebastian Vollmer moves to LT and Castonzo man’s RT, improving the entire line.

The last of the elite OT prospects lands with the Bears who need to protect Cutler.Sherrod can play LT/RT or Guard.He’s versatile and huge.He struggled at the Senior Bowl which is why his stock is dropping some.

Most mocks will have a rush 3-4 OLB here but with Santonio and Braylon both being free agents (I think they re-sign Santonio and let Braylon walk) they will be in the market for a WR.Enter Baldwin who’s a huge target who has some off the field issues that the Jets just won’t care about.This will really help the development of Sanchez.If the Jets do look at Plaxico Burress (or resign both WR’s) then this pick will change to a 3-4 pass rushing OLB or possibly a 5 technique DE.

Brother of Steelers center Maurkise Pouncey.Mike is not the prospect his brother was but he is a natural LG who had to play center this tear at Florida.Pencil the Pouncey brothers in at C and LG for the next 8 years and don’t worry about it.LT and CB are still needs that will be addressed in the next few rounds.

The Packers always seem to go best player available and Cam Heyward fits perfectly as a 5 technique lining up next to big smooth BJ Raji to improve a dominant defense.An upgrade along the O-Line will also be considered and Villanova OT/OG Ben Ijalana could be in play here.